Learning to "plod"

As it's been been quite a while since out last update, I will do my best to summarize the last several months as well as give some idea of our status in the way of ministry and preparation.
 I'd like to start back in the summer of  '11. we moved up to Grand Rapids area were I am originally from in the hopes of building a sending church relationship with Kent City Baptist Church. One year later we began to transition away from KCBC toward  our next faze of training with New Tribes Mission (NTM).  Somewhere in this process we were asked by the leadership at KCBC to consider spending more time pouring into this church. So we stayed here another year.  As we once again began the process of applying to NTM's Missions Training Center, we ran aground. We found that there were some things in our own relationships (both with each other and with Christ) that needed work before we could continue on. Also, as we began to communicate with church leaders, as well as our mentors, we were questioned as to whether NTM was a wise choice for us right now and were encouraged to examine our personal engiftments  and to pray and seek a ministry that we could thrive in. We were also challenged to learn how to be "plodders." Plodders are the people that come what may, put one foot in front of the other and walk with Christ, being faithful to do what has been entrusted to them, even when its hard to see the Lord working there. In doing this we have taken some additional time to serve, work, save, and pray.

Also during this whole time there has been the ongoing issue of Karalise's health, and our pursuit of answers there. We have seen many specialists, had many tests done, and so far we have narrowed the possibilities, yet have no concrete answers as to why she is sick. Its now been 6 years and she is growing weary of this. Yet there is hope as we are meeting with a doctor this coming month to schedule some more in depth testing in an area that was previously not an option because of insurance issues. Please be in prayer for her as  we are running out of options, and still have no answers.

Malachi: As for what we have been doing. I have have been working...a lot. I am the turf management/shop supervisor for a lawn and landscape company in our area. This means that I work long hours in all weather conditions, as it is my responsibility to make sure my side of the business gets done. I also have been working with the senior high youth group as a small group leader, and take my turns teaching both with the senior high as well as a 4-6th grade Sunday school class. I have also taught an institute class for adults on the book of Genesis.  Recently I have been invited to take part in a men's small group that allows me to be on the flip side of ministry, I get to be a sponge in a room filled with Biblical wisdom, as I am the youngest in the group as well as having the youngest children. These men have helped me process through a lot and I thank the Lord for them. Please be in prayer for me that I would manage my time better, that I can find time to be with Kara and the kids and still get done all that needs to be done, as well as finding time in the Word.

Kara: I have been spending a lot of time with our two little stinkers and some days I feel like all I do is change butts and wash dishes, however I am so thankful that I get to stay home with Shiloh and Asher. I just recently started cleaning houses with a good friend one day a week to help us as we are trying to save money. I've really been enjoying getting to know the girls in my Jr High small group better and helping out with the Kindergarten class at church. I'm so thankful for the amazing friends that I have made since we've been here, as they have been a huge encouragement to me as I figure out how to be a Mama, wife, and manage our household frugally. The ladies Bible study at our church has been really cool too. I love that Shiloh and Asher are close enough in age to enjoy doing a lot of the same things together, especially now that they are getting a bit bigger.

Shiloh: Shiloh is 2 1/2 now and knows exactly what she thinks about everything. She loves to do whatever Mama is doing and she does not miss anything that is going on around her. She loves to read books, play with babies, big trucks, her kitchen, puzzles, and mamas dishes. She is a little daredevil and likes to dive from couch to couch and jump off of anything. She is still quite attached to her "fluffy" (a dingy, used-to be-pink-blanky) and plays all sort of imaginary games with fluffy as her "bes fren". She is super social like her daddy, and loves to go places and visit people, she usually cries on the days we just stay home.

Asher: Asher just turned 1 at the end of October and wants to do everything by himself now, he can walk but he doesn't want to, because apparently he likes crawling like a monkey much better. He is quite stubborn, (apparently that's a family trait), smiley, and he loves to read books. Asher loves to play with cars and trucks especially, but also whatever Shiloh is playing with. When he gets tired he rubs his nose on anything fuzzy. We call him our little monster because he loves food and tries to eat anything in sight. He is fascinated by cows (thanks to one of his grandpas :) and has decided that almost all animals should "Mooo".

So you may be asking yourself  "what are they saving for?" Well for a while we were wondering about that ourselves, we looked at buying a house and staying here for while. We looked at going to the MTC, We looked at doing migrant ministry....and we dont think that any of these would be the best use of our lives. So for now we will continue to pray,and wait and save. Right now we are looking at me finishing my education, but we aren't sure what that will look like at this point. Please be in prayer for us as we begin to wrestle through that process of finding a school, what to major in, etc...

Thank you,
     Much love and Happy New Year,
             The Pratts